One-step Biobased Green Gasoline Production from Biodiesel Plant Waste Glycerol

Recipient Organization
United Environment & Energy, LLC
111 Ridge Road
Horseheads,NY 14845

Performing Department
(N/A)

Non Technical Summary
This Phase I project aims at converting the biodiesel plant waste crude glycerol to a low cost and high value biobased green gasoline using a novel technology. In biodiesel production, crude glycerol comprises around 10 weight % of the products. Crude glycerolisa waste stream and afinancial and environmental liability in the biodiesel industry. The research in this Phase I study will mainly focus on the technical feasibility of converting the waste crude glycerol tobiobased gasoline. Once this proof of concept is established, the work in Phase II will focus on transferring this glycerol based green gasoline production technology from the bench-scale to a pilot plant andproducing biobased gasoline for engine performance testing. The development of a highly efficient andcost-effective one-step process for high value biobased gasoline production from waste glycerol is of significant importance to realize the goal of a diverse and cost-effective integrated biorefinery. It will have significant implications for biodiesel plants, the petroleum industry, and end users. This technology will also expedite the substitution of petroleum gasoline with domestically produced alternative fuel and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil imports.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
403	7410	2000	100%

Knowledge Area
403 - Waste Disposal, Recycling, and Reuse;

Subject Of Investigation
7410 - General technology;

Field Of Science
2000 - Chemistry;

Keywords

aromatic hydrocarbon

crude glycerol

green gasoline

multifunctional catalyst

production costs

Goals / Objectives
The research in the Phase I study will mainly focus on the technical feasibility: - Establishcorrelation between the catalytic material properties andits activity and selectivity; - Study and understandthe effects of the reactor design and the reaction conditions on the yield; -Investigate crude glycerol composition/impurities and theeffects on the conversion; -Explore thecatalytic materialstability.

Project Methods
A systematic study will be performed during this project. This includes material research to correlate and understand the effects of the material's properties on its catalytic performance, reactor engineering to understand the reactor configuration on the cataltyic performance of the material, and economic analysis todemonstrate the economic viability of this technology.

Progress 09/01/13 to 04/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Biodiesel producers, Petroleum-based fule producers, Other bio-fuel companies Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In Phase I of this project, the technical feasibility of this technology was established. The properties of the catalytic mateiral, including acid density, pore size and distribution, and pellet size and morphology, was studied and optimized. Different crude glycerol samples were evaluated, and the effects of glycerol impurities on the performance were studied. The bio-gasoline fuel properties, including energy density, octane number, copper corrosion, sulfur content, kinematic viscosity, and flash point, were evaluated. An economic analysis was conducted.

Publications